Automatic swaging method and tool



P 10, 1968 c. r. SCHELLHAMMER 3,400,570

AUTOMATIC SWAGING METHOD AND TOOL Filed June 8, 1966 F/G. Z

I Z Y Z United States Patent 3,400,570 AUTOMATIC SWAGING METHQD AND TOOLCharles T. Schellhammer, Thompsonville, Conn., assignor to UnitedAircraft Corporation, East Hartford, Conn., a corporation of DelawareFiled June 8, 1966, Ser. No. 556,016 1 Claim. (Cl. 72-435) ABSTRACT OFTHE DESCLGSURE A total and die arrangement for installing electricalconnectors in a perforated circuit board wherein a bottom die centersand supports the hollow connector in the circuit board and a triggeringswaging tool easily upsets the connector end portion above the board andfixes it to the board.

This invention relates to methods of swaging electrical connectors andthe like and special tools therefor.

In the past metal electrical connectors were placed in spaced holes inperforated insulated boards with the connectors protruding from theboard and electrical or electronic units are then soldered to theseconnectors. The method used for fixing the connectors to the board wastime consuming and awkward. The connectors are hollow metal units andare inserted into one of the holes. A die is positioned against one endof the connector and the board with the connector inserted had to beheld against the die. A second swaging die would then have to be heldagainst the other end of the connector and a hammer was used to strike ablow against the second die. This awkward manipulation quite frequentlyresulted in splitting the hollow connectors or damaging the board.

It is therefore an object of this invention to utilize an automaticswaging tool which needs only one separate die and thereby eliminatingone tool, as Well as facilitating the speedy installation of connectors.

These and other objects of this invention will become readily apparentfrom the following detailed description of the methods of operation andthe structure shown in the drawing in which FIG. 1 is a partialsectional view of the tools and parts just prior to operation.

FIG. 2 is a partial sectional enlargement of the tools and parts incontact just prior to the swaging operation and FIG. 3 is an enlargedpartial sectional view after the swaging operation.

Referring to FIG. 1, an automatic swaging tool is shown just above theassembled working pieces. The tool is a well known type having an outerhand held portion 12 and a spring loaded plunger 14. This type of toolis well known in the art and is normally constructed as a centeringpunch and may be of the type shown in Patent No. 3,029,512 issued April17, 1962 to I. N. Saxton. Motion of the outer case 12 in a direction ofthe arrow and with respect to the portion 14 after the latter engages awork piece, loads a spring which eventually releases the member 14 toimpart a sudden hammering blow.

I have adopted the centering punch with a swaging tool 16 which will bedescribed in better detail hereinafter.

As seen in FIG. 1 a perforated insulated board 20 is shown having ahollow electrical connector 22 inserted in one of the holes and engagedby a lower die 24.

As better seen in FIG. 2 the swaging tool 16 is placed into engagementwith the hollow electrical connector 22. The connector 22 includes aflange 30 which positions it in the hole so that it extends apredetermined distance on either side thereof. The lower die 24 engagesthe flange 30 by means of an annular recess 32 and also by means of avertical riser 34 engaging a slot 36 in the connector.

The swaging tool 16 includes a centering guide 40 including a flaredshoulder 42 protruding into the hollow connector 22.

It can be seen that in this position of the tools the operator canmerely hold the board 20 in position against the die 24 while theswaging tool assembly can be operated to impart a blow to the upperportion of the connector 22.

As seen in FIG. 3 this operation will result in a very uniform swagingor flaring of the upper end of the connector 22 as seen at 46.

It will be apparent that as a result of this invention not only has onetool been eliminated in a swaging method but besides the need forawkward manipulation by the operators has been eliminated. Furthermore,speed of operation has been enhanced.

I claim:

1. A swaging die set for use with a spring loaded hammering devicehaving a triggered member adapted to strike that portion of a connectorextending above an electrical connector board, said connector extendingthrough said board and also projecting below the board, a die adapted tobe positioned adjacent the bottom of said board in alignment with a holetherein and having an aperture receiving said connector, said dieincluding an annular recess, a vertical riser located centrally of therecess, said connector including a flange engaged by said annularrecess, a slotted portion of said connector extending into said apertureand receiving said vertical riser to firmly position said connector, anda swaging tip carried by said triggered member for engaging the hollowconnector, said tip including a centering guide extending into thehollow connector and a flared shoulder extending laterally from saidcentering guide, said flared shoulder swaging said connector end upontriggering impact of said triggered member.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,947,906 2/1934 Fine 295 122,746,633 5/1956 Simmons 29-512 2,756,495 7/ 1956 Lathrop 29-5122,829,488 4/1958 Valli 29512 3,029,512 4/1962 Saxton 30367 3,166,8281/1965 Tupper 29-512 CHARLES W. LANHAM, Primary Examiner.

G. P. CROSBY, Assistant Examiner.

